In Focus - 2012 Term 4

IN FOCUS November 2012

Links to articles Music Report :. 12 Saving Face in Cyber Space :. 6 Prep Camps :. 16

undertaken by our teaching staff . The processes established for working in Professional Learning Teams and participating in Teacher Performance Management alongside their colleagues has been an integral part of this process.

Congratulations to Q’ed 1 student Chloe Chang, Year 6

from 3 ‘critical colleagues’ regarding the

• Educational Leadership.

• Technical leadership.

The ongoing review and audit of teaching

• Human Leadership.

and learning programs at our College

• Cultural Leadership.

Q’ed Program, the provision of General Excellence Scholarships, new Pathways programs at the Senior School and the Doorway Into Practical Literacy program in our Junior Schools to name a few.

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teaching pedagogy, matters concerning 21st Century Learning, student engagement, phasing in the Australian Curriculum.

Principal. In Term 3 I received crucial feedback

• Symbolic Leadership.

education, the introduction of the celebrated

including Teaching and Learning structures,

involved in reflecting on my performance as

Christian Worldview context.

the establishment of a strategic plan for

brief to consider all aspects of our program

subject offerings and the implications of

are each considered within a spiritual and

of new initiatives. Included in these is

This Professional Learning Team was given the

Throughout this year, I have been personally

following five leadership domains which

has seen the introduction of a number

Teaching and Learning.

The group initially identified the following 10 Objectives for Middle School Students attending Christian College.

1. Students will be encouraged to explore and experience a personal faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Students develop a strong sense of compassion for others and a desire to actively contribute to both local and global communities.

3. Students explore a variety of ideas, perspectives and learning opportunities

The feedback provided has both confirmed

through the investigation of a range of

my approach and also enabled me to

distinct yet interconnected studies.

consider different ways of providing ongoing encouragement , support and leadership.

Introducing the 100 Plus Program to our Middle Schools.

An incredible amount of work and planning has finally been completed by members of

4. Students’ understanding of themselves as learners is actively facilitated and promoted.

5. Students develop as independent learners.

6. Students engage in higher order thinking and problem solving to foster deep learning.

Along with the provision of the excellent

staff as part of the audit of our Middle Schools

7. Students are immersed in a rigorous

new facilities at each of the campuses, in

program. This group, chaired by Mrs Heather

academic program to develop competence in

recent years our students are also benefitting

Faulkner consisted of Heads and Deputy Heads

the range of skills required for higher levels of

from the reflective and collaborative work

of Campus as well as a number of Directors of

education and life.

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

8. Students are challenged through a

Our desire to offer Christian Education and

program that recognises their individual

pastoral sessions, sporting, musical, artistic,

abilities, talents and interests.

camping and outdoor activities opportunities

9. Students develop intrapersonal and interpersonal confidence and competence.

10. Students will continue to develop their confidence and competence across a range of technological mediums and tools.

This framework has been formed as a result of having worked with and reviewed the ‘expert’ educational research through Professional Development with Dr. David Sousa (How the Brain Learns), Prof. Steve Dinham (the benefits to student learning and teaching through Feedback) and Dr. Julia Aitkin (the impact of the National Curriculum) at recent College Staff Retreats .

100 PLUS PROGRAM The Federal Government decision to introduce

“Thank you to the 2012 Q’ed Staff”

as well as time to allow community service involvement remain important features of our

The implementation of 21st Century Learning

I am confident that the benefit of these changes

College culture that we want to see preserved.

strategies incorporates higher order thinking,

will have a positive impact on our Junior

As a result we will see the introduction of the

increased provision for differentiated learning

Schools also as they take on the timetable

including advanced or extension elective classes

structure as well as some of the learning

in some subjects, new subject offerings including

opportunities that this program presents.

100 Plus Program from the commencement of 2013 in the Christian College Middle Schools at the Highton and Bellarine Campuses.

This exciting initiative provides 100 additional minutes per week of face to face teaching for students from Year 5 to Year 9.

This allows Christian College to address the 10 objectives; continues to offer the broad aspects of our program and to meet the requirements of the Australian Curriculum commencing with the Phase One subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities in 2013.

Writers Workshop, Mathematics Challenge, Environmental Science, and Personal Learning (to

Further details of the program will be

assist students in managing their learning).

outlined at upcoming Information Sessions

The new structure of the timetable in 2013 will be 8 forty minute learning sessions per day.

This will provide students with greater flexibility

and in communication to parents from the Heads of Campus and Directors of Teaching and Learning as the program unfolds.

enabling some subject areas to be blocked

I wish to congratulate the staff who have

together for deeper learning opportunities while

contributed to the preparation and planning

maintaining some single periods for explicit skill

of this exciting initiative and I commend

teaching (ie grammar). The increased length

them for the outstanding work that they

of time in teaching blocks prior to morning

have completed. I am personally delighted

recess enhances the opportunity for effective

that this new era of learning has begun and I

a common national curriculum that prescribes

As a result of the planning and investigations

integration of subjects. Two extended blocks of

80% of the content taught, leaving 20% for

undertaken by our College leadership team, I

teaching time (120 minutes each) are scheduled

schools to cover the specific areas that are

feel confident that Christian College has now

prior to lunchtime, which shortens after lunch

important to individual school contexts poses a

positioned itself at the forefront of teaching

class time when the potential for student

Glen McKeeman

challenge for Independent Schools such as ours.

and learning into the future.

learning is typically reduced.

Principal.

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look forward to the benefits that the 100 Plus Program presents for our students in 2013.

factor. People who are inspired and challenged to improve the lives of others.’

Included in our College philosophy are the words: ‘Students will be encouraged to recognise that they belong to a world society, and to acknowledge their responsibility to positively contribute to the relief of the less privileged in this global community’ .

Early in the year our Senior students were challenged in the following way: ‘There is so much going on in the world. It can almost seem overwhelming to think that you or I can make a difference. But we can. Each of these problems has a solution. And the solution is not about money or resources. It is about people. People like you and me who have a care

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And God wants us to. The Bible has much to say about caring for others. In Proverbs it says that we are to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves’ and to ‘defend the rights of the poor and needy’. Jesus himself reminds us in the book of Matthew of our obligation to feed the hungry, take in the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick.

There have been a number of ways in which the students at Senior School have taken this to heart and made themselves available for such a contribution.

The Year 11 subjects ‘Our World Vietnam’ and ‘Our World East Timor’, allowed those Year 11 students to study and experience at first hand some of the issues facing the people of these countries. These students returned to Geelong very touched by what they had experienced and brought back with them a real desire to make a contribution into the lives of the people they met.

The Senior Prefects travelled to Viqueque in East Timor and this group shared with Senior School staff and students how meaningful that visit had been. As a result, this group held the October Trivia night raising funds for some vital educational materials in the local school .

An initiative closer to home was started by the Prefects who wanted to care for students on the Senior campus who were in need of ‘an arm around the shoulder’ or ‘a listening ear’, and so EMPOWER was born. A number of students put their hands up to be the first port of call for others who were struggling and who needed to know that there was someone willing to listen and to direct them towards help.

Our College captains were a part of the group of School Captains from all Geelong schools who teamed together to find clothing and funds for Geelong’s homeless. This was a student-led initiative, which has had a real impact in our region.

Our connections with our indigenous brothers and sisters goes back many years now,

and we were thrilled to be able to host some of our friends from Alcoota when they came for a Victorian experience in November.

In the latter part of the year a group of students has worked towards making a connection with a refugee group in Melbourne and planned a great day for them at our farm, ‘Back Creek’.

This year saw the launch of Care Factor, whereby Senior students were encouraged to invest more fully in the needs of others. It was fundraising, awareness campaigns, community service and acts of kindness as students were encouraged to actively involve themselves in working for others.

I have been delighted by the ways in which our young people have shown God’s love and compassion to others.

Susan Strong Head of Senior School

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

I look forward to all of these students contributing to leading the student body in 2013.

The following Prefects will represent their respective Houses in 2013.

Flynn House

Maddison Riddle

Ricci Curtis

Kristina Macula

Tom Grayson

Jacob Sharp

Syd Jenkins

The provision of student leadership roles at

involvement in College wide events and also

Jayden McHenry

Oliver Overman

Christian College such as Prefects provides

in community and global projects.

Matt Gunn

Nathan Carnie

students within our community with a range of benefits.

Jasmine Yoong

Emily Rastas

Burrows House

Taylor House

Ivy O’Dwyer

Andrew Fitzgerald

Rachel Hodder

Joy Leong

Taylah Wright

Katrina Palmer

Nick Hogan

Olivia Kehoe

been selected and we congratulate the follow-

Joshua Horton

Marnie Platt

ing students on obtaining this honour. I am also

Allison Norris

Having Prefects also benefits other students in the community providing them with role

These relate directly to their involvement in

models, student representation and support

vital roles which develop leadership skills

as well as positions for younger students to

and character attributes resulting from

aspire to in coming years.

serving others. Taking responsibility for the well-being and inclusion of others is also a significant role of our Prefects.

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Penman House

The 2013 Christian College Senior Prefects have

Throughout the year, the Senior Prefects’

grateful to the other students who nominated

responsibilities have occurred mainly through

themselves for consideration. I am aware that

the College House competitions and activities

the selection process was a most difficult one

Glen McKeeman

but, in more recent times have included wider

due to the calibre of the students who applied.

Principal.

Jacob Hunniford

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

community. Further, Australian research

intended for a small audience, sometimes

clearly shows that the majority of young

find their way to a larger one, often with

people will not tell a parent if they are bullied

both the unexpected and undesirable

or harassed online, for fear of losing access to

consequences of punitive measures from

their technology.

both school and the police.

Cyberspace is not age appropriate and often

How do we as adults respond?

the behaviours emerging in our young children are not developmentally aligned; in many cases children are acting out or repeating ‘content’ they have seen or heard The use of information and communication technology (ICT) in schools and in the home, along with the addition of a multitude of

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online. It is vital that we continue to educate ourselves and our young people about the responsibilities of being wise digital citizens.

It is really important that parents embrace technology for the valuable tool that it is and engage with their children online.

Susan McLean, a cyber-bullying expert, says that parents must accept responsibility, as often young people are handed a piece of technology with little or no guidance or

mobile devices, has steadily increased in

Can I get that photo back?

this country since 2005, according to the

The historic benefit of being geographically

latest research. Between 2006 and 2011 the

isolated from the rest of the world may once

A.B.S revealed that the average monthly

have provided advantages for our safety,

download volume by Australians increased

but in Cyberspace there are few boundaries.

from 2GB to 8.4GB. By 2020, it is suggested

The unprecedented amount of personal

that this figure will grow tenfold! With the

information available on these sites makes

explosion of cyber technologies and the

them a perfect place for people who would

Parent education support for safe use of online technologies

use of social networking (such as Facebook)

happily identify their victims and gain their

At the end of last term, Christian College

we push beyond the ‘borders’ for rapid

trust. This trust can then be used to lure

conducted a campus-wide parent

communication, which can bring about

young people into a false sense of security,

education session about cyber-safety, with a

positive outcomes in our personal, social and

making them vulnerable to grooming and

wonderfully engaging presentation from our

working life.

enticement to meet in person.

Senior School Chaplain, Nigel Lane. A smaller

We are, however, also seeing a dramatic rise

Other identified dangers that are emerging

in the negative impact of such technology.

include exposure to inappropriate content,

The issue of cyber bullying, harassment

cyber bullying and harassment, exchange

and stalking is emerging in Victoria as the

of inappropriate images and identity theft.

number one issue confronting the safety and

Young people are often not aware that their

Nigel spoke about the benefits of technology

wellbeing of young people and the wider

words and or photos, which may have been

and also highlighted the associated risks

supervision. Parents should know where their children go and what they do online, just as they would in their day-to-day life. McLean explains that communication is the key and rules and boundaries regarding online behaviours must be put in place.

crowd gathered than I anticipated, given the magnitude and importance of this issue for our young people and its direct impact on families and daily life.

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

UNO just hatched

and dangers with online behaviour. In

provides current information and advice

summary he offered parents the following

about cybersafety, information about how

5 tips to consider in creating a safe online

children engage with online technologies

environment at home:

and an online helpline for children who have

1. Discuss the boundaries – eg. time when

undergone negative online experiences. To

the computer is turned off at night, rules.

view this website you can go to

2. Parents should be their son’s/daughter’s Facebook friend to follow and view content.

3. Location, location, location – put the home computer in a public space, clearly visible.

www.cybersmart.gov.au. On this website you will also find here a new link to Zippep’s Astro children (Prep to Year 2) learn how to be safe online and prepare them for the risks they may face as digital users. You can also download this

a sealed envelope, for emergency access.

as a free app. or play the game online.

Facebook if you do not know who they are.

Cybersmart Website – a great resource for all ages The Australian Communications and Media Authority has a website that provides a single access point for cybersafety advice

UNO now ready to return to Melbourne Zoo

Circus, a new online game created to help

4. Passwords – put your child’s password in 5. Do NOT accept people as friends on

Melbourne Zoo on Saturday 1 December. Ms Deb Singleton will escort him carefully. He will meet many of his kindred that have hatched out at the other 24 schools around Victoria, who have been equally as fortunate as us to be part of this pilot program with the Zoo.

The rapid evolution of technologies is a challenge for us all, yet together I believe we can make a difference and better serve our next generation by equipping and supporting them to become innovative digital citizens with the knowledge and skills to navigate the ever changing online world.

for children, teens, parents, schools and

Scott Elliss

communities. The Cybersmart website

Head of Bellarine Campus

Remember Uno, the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect that hatched at Bellarine campus earlier this year? He has matured into a shiny black ‘handsome young man’(If you are into transformer-style insects…) The pink blanket in the photo was not his first choice; it was simply the warmest spare blanket around to keep him alive over winter Uno has been requested to return to the

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UNO at six weeks of age

It is not all sad goodbyes though. The Zoo are letting us keep Uno’s purpose-built enclosure with heat mats, and they are giving us some Giant Stick Insect eggs to try to hatch. We are at liberty to keep them. So the stick insect story continues, albeit in a different part of the family. The Giant Stick Insect is the closest living relative of the Lord Howe Island critically endangered species.

faculty at Christian College recently revisited and Creativity stimulation response reflected upon the capabilities that engagement in their various subjects develop in students.

growth

Visual literacy

In ATD subjects students learn to think

Responsiveness to persevere, to innovate, to understand ingenuity flexibly, critically and creatively. They learn multiple viewpoints, to adapt, to problem

Process

solve, to communicate and to navigate the engagement challenge all-pervasive visual and digital worlds of

Chess board by Jake Buttigieg Shortlisted for Product Design and Technology: Materials

today. Excellent teaching/learning in art, Knowledge Skill design and technology education requires Intuition skilful differentiation to meet the needs of

complexity

each student. Teachers in the Art, technology nurture

Kit Webster projected images on the face of ‘Villa Paloma’

visual

literacy Innovation

reflection

satisfaction

confidence

and design faculty work alongside each

possibilities

empathy

Enjoyment

student to break down the complexities of the creative process deliberately and

critical

thoughtfully, whilst facilitating progress understanding intelligence Selftowards the development of appropriate

Self-awarenessWe publicly imagination championed this focus on ATD solutions to problems posed.

logic

experimentation

Authenticity

validation

on very narrow perceptions of ‘knowledge’

diverse and comprehensive art, technology

and limited measures of human competency.

and design opportunities we provide for our

Researchers and critics argued that traditional

independence materials

sustainability

techniques

ideas

teaching\learning on the opening night of our recent by conducting a major life-long ways ofExtravaganza seeing Individuality visual collaboration with new media artist, Kit

enrichment wonderment discovery Exploration respect enthusiasm excitement Investigation passion energy kinesthetic rigour Problem solving mark making inspiration personal learning Thinking appreciation attitude hard work extension divergence Reflecting open-endedness confidence admiration research -based soul searching Celebration original expression Communication Identity Design Art Technology students across all campuses. Our programs

love ofare learning ollaboration firmly underpinned bybeauty current educational

disciplines taught in schools reinforced

Webster. Visitors to our annual K-12 Exhibition

dominant forms of ‘knowledge’ which tended to

were delighted by Kit’s vibrant, kinetic visual

research and practice and are designed to

deny the existence of other important forms of

presentation which incorporates sound and

arm students with essential knowledge, skills

‘understanding’ and ‘knowing’. This limiting view

projections of three dimensional text detailing

and capabilities to successfully understand

of education appeared to omit or diminish the

words and phrases collated by ATD staff.

and navigate the visually and technologically

importance of sophisticated forms of cognition

Viewers were bombarded with visually complex

dominated contemporary world.

and intelligence offered through engagement

renderings of educational textual content,

with art, design and technology education.

symbolic images and patterns, exemplifying

In the latter decades of the 20th century,

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understanding

perseverance Uniqueness

Christian College Geelong is proud of the

Rebecca Headlam with her installation shortlisted for Year 12 Top Arts

aesthetic awareness

educational institutions across the globe were

As committed and passionate practitioners,

increasingly criticised for basing curriculum

educators in the art, technology and design

the hybrid nature of art, technology and design related practices and communications in the 21st century.

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

excursions, performances, studio visits, competitions, parades, displays, projects and presentations. For example, this year students have exhibited or displayed art, design and technology works in The National Gallery of Victoria’s Ian Potter Centre for Australian Art, Shell House in Melbourne’s CBD, The Geelong Art Society’s Shearer’s Arms Gallery, Zart Art Gallery in Melbourne, The Rotary Art Exhibition in Drysdale, The Subjects offerings within the Faculty this year have included Visual Art, Two Dimensional Art, Three Dimensional Art, Photography, Product Design and Technology: Materials, Product Design and Technology: Textiles, Food and Technology, Systems Engineering,

Geelong Showgrounds, The Melbourne Zoo, the Carousel at the Geelong Waterfront, the Geelong Wool Museum, The Melbourne Museum, Science Works, The Australian National University, Canberra and several other presentation contexts.

Visual Communication & Design and Studio

In addition, numerous prizes and awards have

Arts. Student work in all of these areas was

been received by individual students and we

on display at the Art, Design and Technology

have recently received initial notifications

Extravaganza held recently at Villa Paloma.

that five of our Year 12 Product Design and

Challenging enrichment and enhancement possibilities extending beyond the classroom

Technology students have been shortlisted for the VCE Season of Excellence Awards in 2013.

have also provided additional opportunities for student engagement through

Merinda Kelly

participation in exhibitions, extension

Director of Teaching and Learning: Art,

tasks and research studies, workshops,

Technology and Design

Rhiannon Irving, shortlisted for VCE Season of Excellence Product Design and Technology: Textiles with Tom Hayes, who is modelling her theatrical Jester Costume Design.

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christiancollege.vic.edu.au

mark at Christian College for years to come.

The College required a new set of worshipenhancing furniture ( a lectern and a set of candle stands) that would be a focal point in the recently completed Senior School Chapel, creating a mood of respect and spirituality.

They needed to be unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that fitted in with the College and reflected the College motto, philosophy and values. They also wanted the products to show a high quality of workmanship.

It was also specified that they needed to use natural, sustainable materials to be used in the construction. They were open to a wide variety of materials to be used including timber, glass, metal and stone.

Each of the materials has a symbolic place in the design of the lectern:

• The Senior School has gratefully accepted

Designers Tom and Costa, Year 12 Product

some wonderful pieces of work, namely

design and Technology students explained

a new Chapel lectern and candle stands

the process involved:

designed especially for the Chapel at Senior School. The Year 12 students who spent many hours on their meticulous construction can be assured that Christian College will honour and treasure them for years to come.

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solid foundations that the school is built upon,

•

the main construction represent the

College as we wanted to leave something

growth of students, staff and the school

special behind that would be of benefit completed our studies. So when the

Susan Strong

opportunity arose to work with the College

Head of Senior School

as designers in our course and create some

the sustainably sourced Australian timbers of Jarrah and Victorian Ash in

‘We chose to create these pieces for the our

to Christian College, even after we had

the bluestone at the base represents the

community as a whole.

•

the glass elements embedded into the design represent the Christian spirituality that is a foundation of Christian College.

feature pieces of furniture for the school, we

Tom Hayes and Costa Karatenislis

felt that this would be a good way to leave our

Year 12, 2012

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

way of sticking with you and despite the mud, breakdowns and flies, we remember the blossoms, spectacular sun sets and cute animals.

Developments at the Farm

I was herding the cows down the lane way and my gumboots sucked down into the mud the other day. This transported me back to my youth spent on my family’s dairy farm near Cohuna. I recalled evenings after school milking cows with my father and the wet winters getting drenched by rain while feeding hay to the cows. Isn’t it amazing that experiences which once seemed tedious, in time, can be recalled with fondness.

Many times when I speak to parents visiting the Year 9’s in residence at the farm, they recall times they have spent on an uncle’s, grandparent’s, or friend’s farm. I think farms have a

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This winter on the farm, students have fed replacement heifers and beef cows hay each morning. This is a vital job on the farm when fresh pasture is more scarce. Students spread out the hay which allows the cows easy access to it and prevents it spoiling from sitting uneaten for too long. With student’s assistance this job was done quickly, but I have never seen it done as part of an interpretive dance until now.

On the edge of the dam in front of the homestead there has been the development of an amphitheater. Students have spent many hours cutting tiered seating into the bank and constructing gabion boxes on top. Trees have recently been planted bordering the amphitheater which will, down the track, provide shade and will also enclose the area. Students have displayed a great deal of satisfaction with the

work that has been achieved on this project and it is rewarding to see it nearing completion.

an event the students are very keen to see.

Orphan lambs have been a huge hit this year, with some students taking them home for weekends to maintain three hourly feedings.

Eight orphan lambs have been successfully reared. We never have needed to worry about the lambs being forgotten to be fed as they are guaranteed to be the first to be fed with hugs lingering long after feeding has finished.

port of a cow beginning to calve has resulted

Students in the milking group have also helped with feeding the calves. There are about 130 calves on the property at the moment and students have done a fantastic job feeding them each morning and night.

Maintaining a warm, dry place for the calves to be housed is important in the cold, wet environment of Scotsburn. Students have been very diligent in cleaning the calf shed of the old straw and spreading fresh straw.

The current calving season on the farm has provided the opportunity for many students to witness or even help with a cow calving -

The mad dash to the calving paddock on a rein all types of exotic looking ugg boots going places they were not designed to go.

New vegetable boxes have been constructed by students during the last 3 Rurals. Many of these are full of garlic plants which, when harvested, will be used in the kitchen and excess sold to the public.

Amongst these and many other activities being completed each day, students have generated experiences they will share with their peers for years to come. Not only will they remember these experiences in the near future, but I’m sure, just as their parents shared farm stories, they too will recount their ‘Back Creek’ experiences to their children and even grandchildren.

Earl Moore Teaching, Learning & Operations Manager ‘Back Creek’

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

of year performances. At this camp the Highton and Bellarine Middle School groups combined to form one large Concert Band, Choir and String Orchestra as well as a Guitar Ensemble. This event is not just a music camp but also a fantastic way for students to learn to work together in a concentrated program.

They are challenged and encouraged to grow in many ways during the musical and other activities on these music camps. As well they make cross Campus and across year level friendships that often follow them through their music program involvement to the Senior School.

Instrumental Music

Senior rehearsal camp sees the most senior role in supporting events in the life of the

ensembles depart from their campus environs for intensive tutorials and rehearsals

This year has seen around 650 students

College including Services, Ceremonies and

electing to study instrumental music with

Celebrations. Many student soloists have

weekly lessons happening across the

completed examinations with the Australian

The classroom music program has seen a very

Campuses and 48 instrumental staff giving

Music Examinations Board from Preliminary

comprehensive offering of core and elective

specialist tutorage. This has meant a fantastic

Grade through to the Associate of Music

classes across the College curriculum. Core

level of involvement in the extra curricula

Performance Diploma. Students have also

music classes are a feature of the curriculum

ensemble program offered at Christian

competed in scholarship competitions and

for Kindergarten through to Year 8. Elective

College with over 30 regularly rehearsing

Rotary Club talent competitions with many

music has been studied by students from

ensembles making music weekly and taking

winning prizes and recognition for their

Years 8 to 12. We have had accelerated classes

part in camps, tours, competitions, and

great musicianship.

Both the Middle School and Senior Music

of VCE in Years 10 and 11 as well as a class

performances both within the College and

Music Camps

Camps see the Music Department engage

completing the Music Investigation subject

in the wider community. As well, regular solo

in Year 12. The VCE Unit 3 and 4 classes have

performance recitals have been held across

In September, the Combined Middle Schools

of professional performing musicians

had class recital nights in the new auditorium

all campuses providing the opportunity for

Music Camp involved 160 students from the

from places such as Melbourne Symphony

Bellarine and Highton Campuses in choirs,

Orchestra, Victorian Opera and various

strings and bands. Held at Camp Wilkin and

tertiary institutions to tutor and motivate

Classroom Music

at the Bellarine Campus where they have

students to perform for family and friends.

in late June. This year the Senior Wind Symphony, Strings, Choir and Stage Bands traveled to Rutherford Park near Daylesford for a six-day camp where the students played for an average of five hours a day. The students relish the opportunity to be away and immerse themselves in their chosen pieces for the upcoming competitions.

not only our regular staff but also the services

shared a small part of their examination

The Bands, Choirs, String Orchestras and

Burnside in Anglesea, the students rehearsed

the students. Both staff and students find it

programs with family and friends.

instrumentalists have played an active

new material in preparation for their end

inspiring to have the opportunity to work

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christiancollege.vic.edu.au

Advertiser Scholarships and the Highton Rotary Star Search. The Senior Choir and their Director Mrs. Barnett-Dunlop have represented the College on a number of occasions at significant events such as the Vietnam Veterans’ service and the Geelong Schools ANZAC service at the Johnstone Park Memorial.

The Senior Campus has been represented by numbers of soloists and chamber ensembles thoughout the year at a huge range of events. These have provided the students with valuable performance experience but The Melbourne School Bands and Strings

Orchestra and program is rapidly growing

also allowed them to share their gifts with

from ‘outside’ our program.

festival is held at Monash University each year.

with 37 young junior string players forming

others in the community and experience the

Senior Music Tour

Bands and orchestras play for an adjudication

the Junior School Strings.

satisfaction in providing service to others,

panel and are rated against set criteria for an

Royal South Street provides our College

with people with such fantastic expertise

particularly in being able to support charity

The Senior Ensembles took part in the

award, they also take part in a tutorial and

biennial Senior Music Tour in March. The

workshop. The Christian College ensembles

Senior Choir, Strings, Wind Symphony

prestigious eisteddfod environment in

find this experience a great opportunity to

and Stage Band travelled to Sydney and

which to compete. We have had a fantastic

develop and refine their musicianship. Many

year at Royal South Street with many

performed at various prominent venues

of our groups received the highest rating

students and groups gaining places in hotly

including Manly, St Andrews Cathedral

possible from the panel as well as recordings

contested sections.

and Darling Harbour. As well as these

of their performance for review.

Community Performance

During August the Junior School Strings,

Our musicians’ involvement in the

was the initiative of our stage band and

community, from the Junior Schools right

jazz staff. It’s rationale was to provide a non

Schools’ Music and Movement Festival in

through to our most senior musicians is

competitive performance day where students

the Play House at GPAC. For many of the

a hallmark of our program with students

felt encouraged, challenged and motivated

students it was their first public performance

performing at events such as the Royal

to improve their performance. John Morrison

and was a tremendous experience being in a

Melbourne Hospital Festival, Belmont Elderly

flew down from Sydney for the day and was

professional theatre. Our Junior School String

Citizens, Poppykettle Festival, the Geelong

the guest clinician. He gave performance

public performances the groups worked with various school groups, community ensembles and the Sydney Navy Band. The tour was a great experience for students and staff providing unique opportunities for our senior musicians.

College Ensemble Competitions and Festivals

Page 13 :.

Choir and Dancers performed at the Geelong

ensembles and soloists with the most

fundraising events.

Workshop and Performance Day with John Morrison Early in August Christian College hosted the Stage Bands from Blackburn High School and Eltham High School for a day of workshops, master classes and performance. The program

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

feedback as well as an ‘on stage’ tutorial to each

with an outstanding rendition of The Cat

numbers of disciplines including dance,

As well the venue was ‘sold out’ with some

group at the conclusion of their performance.

Empire song ‘Fishies’ featuring the talents of

vocal and instrumental solos, ensembles and

families having to wait in the foyer in case

The day was a wonderful success.

Adam Di Martino, David Stephens, Harrison

encouragement awards.

families left early. The music staff would like

House Music Performances

Kennedy and Aidan Hodge all of Year 12.

The Annual Music Evening

to congratulate all students involved for their

Deakin University’s Costa Hall was the venue for this year’s Senior School House Music Competition. The Senior School became a

Kosta Karatenislis, Year 12 of Flynn House was awarded Champion House Soloists with his virtuosic clarinet solo.

An outstanding night of performances at the Costa Hall was held on Thursday October 18th

Ensemble Program in 2012.

giving over 450 Christian College student

frenzy of House choir and ensemble practices

In 2012 the Middle Schools held a House

musicians the opportunity to perform for a

leading up to the hotly contested House

Talent Quest. The focus of this event was to

large audience in a world class concert hall

Music Competition. This event sees the

encourage participation in the performing

style venue. The acoustics and stage size

entire Senior School Student body perform

arts. Over 100 students from the Highton and

of the Costa Hall allowed all bands, string

as a part of their respective House Choirs.

Bellarine Campuses auditioned at lunchtimes

groups and choral performers to show off

Each house also provided a soloist and two

and collected House points. Following the

the best of their performance pieces learnt

ensembles. Penman were victorious in 2012

audition process 30 items were chosen for

throughout the year. The concert featured

winning best House Choir with their rendition

the House Performing Arts Festival Finale

a consistently outstanding level of student

of The Lion King and as well overall House

which was held at Barrabool Hills on the final

musicianship and excellence in staff musical

Music Champions. The Penman house small

day of Term three. Students were awarded

direction. A feature of the program was the

ensemble also won the Principal’s Award

prizes and recognition in categories across

combining of our Middle School ensembles.

Page 14 :.

contribution and commitment to the College

Fiona Gardner Director of Music – Teaching and Learning

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

packaging, time lines, ordering food, cooking, safe food storage, quantities, advertising and safe food handling. This was a fantastic display of great team projects in action at our As part of the Year 9 Food Technology program this Semester at Bellarine Campus,

The café was a great success and $679.00

the students decided it would be a good idea

was raised for their chosen charity, ‘Feed

to raise funds for a local charity as part of their

Geelong’. ‘Feed Geelong’ is a local food

assessment for this subject.

charity for Geelong, run by larger charity

The students designed a menu catering for all. It included a combination of pre-ordered lunchtime options and a variety of sweet

Page 15 :.

school.

group ‘FareShare’, and is sponsored by the Geelong Advertiser. FareShare collect surplus food from supermarkets, wholesale

treats to purchase on the day of the café. The

markets, farmers, manufacturers, retailers and

students worked extremely hard trialling

other businesses. Volunteers cook all of this

recipes, analysing and perfecting their

excess food in a special kitchen and supply

chosen recipes in preparation for the café.

it to local food charities around Melbourne,

This assessment task also gave the students

Geelong and other parts of Victoria. They also

a real taste of what it would be like to run a

distribute large quantities of uncooked food

professional catering business. The students

around local charities working closely with

were accountable for cost, work plans,

Geelong Foodbank.

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

The camps program at Junior School Belmont is introduced in Prep. with students participating in a sleepover on campus in the Junior School Chapel.

The Bellarine Prep Camp to Cottage by the Sea also allows for gradual introduction to the Christian College camping program. A priority for both camps is for the children to have fun and to feel safe and happy on their first school camp.

The aim is to promote social interaction, encourage independence, and self-sufficiency. It offers a unique opportunity for students to interact and grow in their relationships with their teachers and peers in a setting vastly different from the classroom. It aims to help enhance their physical, social, emotional and spiritual growth. We also want to help build the children’s ability to co-operate and to understand and accept their uniqueness and differences.

The camp allows children to experience different environmental settings and to learn new skills first hand. It also allows children the opportunity to see and discuss some of God’s amazing creation.

Through our Prep camp, we strive to help the children gain an understanding that God is with us all the time, He cares for us and protects us wherever we are.

‘We are not sleepy yet’

Page 16 :.

day, as well as Daniel Harwood who ably assisted the students in the building of the outdoor furniture.

Reflecting on this new initiative, Mrs Bishop commented on how much the students had gained from these experiences in understanding the various roles of the staff at our College as well as appreciating the way others give back to the community in so many different ways as a volunteer, without expecting thanks or payment.

There is no doubt that this will become a regular feature of our Year 9 program, as the benefits noted by staff, as well as the many positive comments from students, reinforced the extremely valuable educational opportunities these activities offer.

At Middle School Highton we have recognised

These included working at two local primary

the benefits for our students of becoming

schools, making outdoor furniture to give to a

more involved in our community. At the end of

local school and kindergarten, a Master Chef

Term 3, Year 9 Activity Week had a major focus

‘cook off’, making mosaic tiles to be used in our

on giving something back to our community.

gardens, strategy games and craft work with a

Having a servant heart sits well with our

focus on making something for someone else.

Christian College ethos and , under the leadership of Mrs Sally Bishop an innovative programme was devised to incorporate service as a central theme of the week.

Page 17 :.

During Activity Week a small group of the Year 9’s were already committed to attending the Middle School Music camp and 38 students were challenged in a 72 kilometre walk through rugged terrain in the Otways. Both of these activities proved to be

The program would not have been as

challenging but rewarding experiences with

successful without the assistance of our

character development a real bonus.

gardener Andrew Allen who organised garden beds at the local schools where our

Approximately eighty Year 9 students chose

students planted vegetables to be used in the

Heather Faulkner

a service activity from a number of options.

school breakfast and lunch clubs run every

Deputy Head of Middle School Highton

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

Celebrating Gustav Klimt and the Birth of Viennese Modernism in Vienna In 2012, one of Austria’s greatest painters - Gustav Klimt (1862–1918) would have celebrated his 150th birthday. His paintings, in particular The Kiss – one of the world’s best-known images – are rightly seen as epitomizing the spirit of optimism that heralded the dawn of the modernist era. Students in the Year 9 lunchtime art and textiles class at Bellarine campus drew inspiration from Klimt’s work this year to create a range of wearable artworks. The girls are to be congratulated on their commitment, persistence and positive attitudes that they have had to achieve their goal.

In preparation a number of teachers in the Art,

Homage to Gustav Klimt’. Each student created a

Design and Technology Faculty participated in

costume depicting Klimt’s unique and distinctive

an ‘In-house’ professional development day led

decorative paintings and designs. The students

by ATD Director Merinda Kelly to explore fabric

explored a wide range of Art and Textile related

painting, surface embellishment and screen

materials and techniques.

printing. These techniques and methods were

Each student invested many after school hours to

then introduced to Year 9 students.

refine and complete their costume in readiness

This year Mrs Anne Young, Mrs Merinda Kelly

for the Art, Technology & Design Extravaganza

and Mrs Gray have been working with ten

Wearable Art Fashion Parade held on Wednesday,

talented Year 9 students in a Lunchtime Textiles

31st October.

class. The students were given a design brief ‘A

Page 18 :.

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

DREAMING

URBAN SPRAWL

Football has been such a big part of my life,

I am like a hawk, nesting upon the hills as I gaze sharply at a sea of urban sprawl below.

right back to my early days as a ‘little tacker’, and I cannot even begin to imagine what the long wintery months would be like without this great game.

The following are examples of creative and persuasive writing

by Christian College students at various levels. Enjoy!

A Geelong Football Club member since I was one year old, I have grown up knowing how to do one thing. Love the Cats! Ever since I got my first football, long before I knew how to walk, I was a Cat’s fan. Sporting my tiny little Geelong jumper that read, ‘I’m a Future Cat’, I used to crawl around with a footy everywhere. My love for the footy club was always obvious; none knew this more than my Dad, who took me to my first Cat’s game, when they took on Fremantle in early 2002.

He bought me fan gear, barracked hard with me and is responsible for my never-ending, unconditional love for the boys in the blue and white hoops.

From the very second my little foot connected with a football for the first time, all I’ve wanted to do was to play for Geelong.

I would (and still do) picture myself running around on Kardinia Park and the MCG with packed crowds and thrilling game play. It is the stuff of dreams.

Harry James Year 10 English

Panning warily across a vast landscape of new houses, I see their roofs glistening in unison under the mellow sun. The urban jungle rises and falls like waves as the ocean of rolling hills distorts the terrain of the city. Treetops dance lightly in the breeze, casting themselves over the long grass that sways back and forth.

Insects frolic about on the roadside, offering a temporary distraction from my surroundings.. ..I sigh, peering upwards into a sea of blue as a flock of birds gain my attention. Screeching incessantly, they cause a short-lived commotion about the sky which is dotted randomly with puffy, white clouds.. ..My ears suddenly prick up, catching the faint screech and wail of a grinder in the distance.

Sound is constant in the curious environment surrounding me; a world atop the hills where the incessant noise of the vibrant city collides with the intermittent cries of birds and nature.

It is where the ever-present scent of eucalyptus is diluted by the gritty industrial air.. .. As I pause momentarily, a car roars by, disrupting the subtle ambience of my surroundings. It disappears into the distance along the road, which slithers like a hungry black snake into the hills. I find myself unable to concentrate again, the disturbance caused by the passing car lingering behind. And as I begin to compose my thoughts again, another car whizzes by..

Billy Eaton Year 10 English

Page 19 :.

PLEASE ?

I want a puppy because I will train it, feed it, play with it and look after it. I will make sure it doesn’t run away. I will make sure it doesn’t come inside and I will give it a good name.

I can make sure it doesn’t scare any little people. I will watch out for it and I’ll make sure it doesn’t go on the trampoline. I’ll give it the right food and make sure it doesn’t mess up anything. I’ll give it left over meat. I’ll pay my own money for it. Please may I have a puppy?

Georgia Odd. Year 1

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

Over the past eight years Christian College

‘The varied experiences made available to

Alcoota or the recent visit, I feel very proud

students of the Year 10 Elective ‘Our World’

the Engawala students during their time

and thrilled with how everything worked out.

have visited the Alcoota community in

in Geelong were really appreciated. I feel

My class really embraced the experiences

Central Australia. The visits have fostered

that the visit was very successful which was

offered to them. They made and cemented

understanding of different cultures and

due in no small part to the generosity and

friendships with children who come from a

willingness of staff and families to be involved

very different way of life from themselves,

with the program.

each one of them realizing that they have a

several weeks ago Elders – Margaret and

As the Principal Lisa said on several occasions, ‘The community had no worries about their

well as teach.

Kevin, the Principal – Lisa and teacher – Tim with students of the Alcoota School were

children coming down to stay with the Geelong

welcomed into our community.

mob because of the trust which has been built

ways of life and have often changed the outlooks of our students. It is particularly important that the visits are reciprocal and

Mrs Jan Strauch, who has co-ordinated the visit and been to the Alcoota community herself several times said after the visit:

Page 20 :.

up over the eight years the Geelong mob have been going up to Alcoota’.

Every time I think back over the trip to

lot to offer and they were willing to learn, as

To the Christian College staff - ‘Thank you so much for your part in the Alcoota visit – whether it was showing us around your campus, cooking, feeding, teaching surfing, providing a son for teaching surfing or allowing us to be a part of your classes.’

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

the Bellarine Campus. These routes cover areas such as Anakie, Lara, Lethbridge, Bannockburn, Teesdale, Anglesea, Jan Juc, Torquay, Bellbrae, Freshwater Creek, Grovedale, Highton, Geelong West, South Geelong, Connewarre, Gherang, Moriac, Christian College operates it’s own fleet of buses to transport students to and from school each day as well as providing transportation for a wide variety of school

Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff, St Leonards, Indented Heads, Portarlington, Drysdale, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Whittington, Leopold and other places along the way.

aspects of the school curriculum, such as those

line with standard industry practice and are

used for transportation of luggage, surfboards,

subject to regular review by Transport Safety

bikes, canoes, kayaks and camping equipment.

Victoria.

The design of the bus routes is a complicated

To safely operate 18 individual bus routes, we

process and we strive to pick up students as

require a pool of dedicated, safety conscious

close as possible to home. We endeavour to

and courteous drivers. These drivers not

provide the best service to cover all families

only have the enormous responsibility of

wishing to use our bus service either full time

driving the bus, but also need to be skilled in

or on a part time basis and we are responsive

dealing with students from Prep to Year 12.

to the changing needs of families and the

The drivers are an integral part of the College

increasing demand for bus travel. We are

staff; they are at the forefront when issues

continually looking for vehicles to upgrade our fleet to better meet this demand and also reviewing bus routes annually to provide better, safer routes.

relating to student behaviour and safety on the buses occur. To assist the drivers the College has implemented a process where selected Senior students are designated

To manage, maintain and organise the

‘Bus Captains’. The role of the bus captains

activities of the fleet we have a management

(normally 2 or 3 per bus) is an important

team consisting of a Fleet Manager, Workshop

one; they assist with the supervision of the

Managers and Bookings Officer, all of whom

students travelling on the bus and act as the

work together to ensure the safe and smooth

driver’s eyes and ears so that the driver is

activities. The uniqueness of the Christian

In addition to these regular school routes the

running of the fleet. The vehicles, management

fleet also provides transportation between

not distracted from his or her task. The bus

College bus service is that we operate a fleet

processes and reporting activities are all

campuses as well as excursions all over the

subject to the rules and regulations laid down

captains are also instructed on emergency

of 22 buses and transport nearly 700 students

region. We also provide the transportation for

by Transport Safety Victoria for a Registered

three, ten day trips to Central Australia each

Operator under the Bus Safety Act. All vehicles

year as part of the Senior School ‘Our World’

are subject to annual Roadworthy Inspections

We currently provide 18 different bus

Elective study. As part of the fleet we also

carried out by independent Transport Safety

for their children

routes, 14 servicing the three Highton\

manage the specialist trailers and support

Victoria licenced testers. The day to day routine

Peter Hayes

Waurn Ponds Campuses and 4 servicing

vehicles that are required to fulfil some

maintenance, repairs and reporting are in-

Fleet Manager

each school day. Christian College is the third largest bus operator in the Geelong region.

Page 21 :.

procedures relating to the bus and bus travel.

We are committed to giving College families the best possible school bus transport service

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

year, it is so exciting, enriching and rewarding to be an ‘Explorer’ and not a ‘Settler’ with respect to learning.

Q’ed 1 Moving into their first year of the Q’ed program, 25 students from Years 5, 6 and 7 at Bellarine and HIghton campuses engaged in a journey of self-discovery and self-managed exploration of this year’s Big Question: How can we create a healthy community?

From a rigorous investigation of the physiology and psychological functions of the brain and an identification of individual learning processes and research program for gifted and talented students

class with a range of abilities, that it is the

in the Middle Years. This highly successful

most able, rather than the least able, who will

three tiered program provides small groups

learn less new material than any other group

of carefully selected students with unique

in any given school year.’ (Round, P.2012.

learning environments, allocated time,

‘Catering for gifted students in the regular

informed and supportive staff, appropriate

classroom.’ Vision, p27). At Christian College

and accessible resources, stimulation,

Geelong we pride ourselves on empowering

challenge, flexibility and freedom to soar.

action research at the Senior Campus.

As students, staff and parents alike recognize

The breadth of investigation, the depth

the amazing potential of teaching differently,

of research, the maturity of focus and

the excitement and support surrounding

understanding, coupled with the genuine,

In 2011 Christian College Geelong responded

this program has and will continue to grow

passionate individual endeavor was uniquely

to this challenge and launched the first year

exponentially impacting every sector of our

remarkable, outstandingly commendable and

level of Q’ed, an innovative, research based

College. As our Q’ed 1 students realized this

truly inspirational.

students to reach their potential as a whole and individual person, and as a community member, and yet this challenge holds.

Page 22 :.

methodologies, the students were prepared

It may come as a surprise to many that ‘in a

to commence their individual journey of exploration resulting in the development of individual theories of action. The culmination of this particular stage of this journey of learning occurred on September 4th with an Exhibition of each student’s theories and

christiancollege.vic.edu.au

MOTIV ATOR 2012

Notice Board

n Colle ge Geelo

- Chris tia

digital response to their consideration of

Q’ed 2 delivery was almost entirely online exposing the students to extremely new

Motivator Yearbook 2012

challenges in learning individually and

College families are reminded that one copy of the 2012 College Yearbook MOTIVATOR will be delivered to each family between Friday 14 December and Monday 24 December.

collaboratively, in skill acquisition, problem solving, thinking and management of their own learning and goal achievement. While the program was rigorous and challenging it

Q’ed 2 In the research, based development of the

was definitely beneficial and enlightening for students and staff alike.

Q’ed program we have been guided by our

Q’ed 3

own set of essential program goals. To varying

In 2013 we will launch the third and final

degrees each goal is pursued in every year

tier of the Q’ed program. Q’ed 3 will provide

level of Q’ed however we have also established

a conceptually unique opportunity for the

definite areas of focus for each year level.

Q’ed students to invest their collective and

The Q’ed 2 Program was launched in 2012 with a group of 18 Year 6, 7 and 8 students from Bellarine and Highton campuses. Most of these students were continuing their Q’ed 1, 2011 experience.

Q’ed 2 develops the capacity of students to manage their learning in an online collaborative environment. While we live and learn in a worldwide, digitally enhanced classroom this reality brings its own unique set of challenges and potentialities. The Q’ed 2 students explored and developed many new digital skills and collaborative thinking

collaborative time, intellect and passion into a contemporary and authentic local community

William s House Kinder Brough garten ton Dri ve, Tel. 03 5241 355 Belmont 321 6 6

Bellari ne Cam pus 40 Col lins Stre et, Dry Tel. 03 sdale 322 5253 299 2 8

Junior School , Belmo Brough nt ton Dri ve, Tel. 03 5241 156 Belmont 321 6 5

‘Back Cre ek’ Sco tsburn RMB 657 8 Midland Hwy, Sco Tel. 03 5341 205 tsburn 3352 1

ww w.

ch ris tia

Mid

dle Sch ool, Hig hton Burdek in Rd, Hig Tel. 03 5241 189 hton 3216 9

Senior School , Waurn Pigdon Ponds ’s Road, Waurn Tel. 03 Ponds 5241 157 3216 7

‘Villa Pal oma’ Art s/Tech Princes nology Highw Centre ay, Wa Tel. 03 urn Pon 5241 884 ds 3216 4

In the next few weeks could you please ensure that your current residential address for that time is lodged with Christian College (not just a P.O. Box number)? The Yearbooks will be delivered by Fastway Couriers to your home address and left at the front door if no-one is at home. nc oll eg

e.v ic. ed

u.a u

Additional copies for sibling students who attend Christian College will be available for collection from Campuses on Wednesday 12

December, Thursday 13 December or at the start of the 2013 school year.

Gwen Prosser Vice Principal

based issue, drawing on and extending their research capabilities, digital competencies, interpersonal and intrapersonal communication and self-management skills.

2013 will be an exciting year as we witness all levels of Q’ed in operation. However, we are also mindful that, as we succeed in opening up minds, fostering lateral and creative thought and encouraging authentic, informed action that Q’ed will be an evolving and ever changing ‘menu’ for the Christian College.

routines within the Q’ed 2 ‘Belonging’ blog,

Roselyn Smith

a protected blog simulation, and their own

Director of Teaching and Learning -

Q’ed 2 Blogs, before presenting an individual

Learning Support Services

Page 23 :.

ng

‘Belonging’.

Uniform Shop Reminders Families are reminded that the Christian College Uniform Shop is open each Monday up to and including December 3, 2012. In order to avoid the January rush the Uniform Shop will be open two extra days in November – Wednesday 28th and Friday 30th from 10am to 6pm.

In the summer vacation before the commencement of 2013, the shop will be open each day from Monday 21 January to Friday 25 January. It will be closed on

Monday 28 January for the Australia Day Public Holiday and then open on Tuesday 29 January and Wednesday 30 January, the first day of Term 1, 2013 Parents wishing to sell clean, good quality, second hand uniform on commission through the Uniform Shop are asked to leave items at the Middle School Reception until Wednesday 12th December. Blazers MUST be dry cleaned.

Jeannette Casey Manager