FROM THE CEO

As the end of the year activities and Christmas parties seem to dominate the calendar, I often find myself trying to assess how well the year has gone especially for the students throughout the College, the staff who teach them and how well our families are coping in this rapidly changing world. At Graduation, I watched the Year 12 students make their way across the stage with such anticipation on their faces and I realised how different the world is for them and I pray they will feel a sense of confidence and optimism that they have been well educated and they possess all the necessary skills needed to be successful. I was delighted with the three key speeches given by Sophie Potter, Nathan Tarrant and our guest speaker Jack Jordan-Hill, another Christian College Alumni. All rendered their speeches with great confidence and skill and all messages were gratefully accepted and applauded by the grateful year 12s. As was mentioned by various people on the day, we are so blessed to find ourselves gathering once again, joining side by side to celebrate life and our community. Hopefully we can remain this way and continue to rebuild many of our traditions and community functions.

Over this year we have witnessed several significant capital works programs being completed. We enjoyed the opening of the new English and Language building for use by the senior students as well as officially opening the R.W. Gibson Music Performance Centre on November 4th with associated special guests and members of Dr Gibson’s family, including his wife, Wendy. Included on stage were some outstanding musical performances which allowed the audience to have a firsthand experience of the “magic” acoustics of the centre. We have also seen the construction of two major car parking areas, one at Middle School and the other at Senior School.

These have both been major works “in waiting” but we have had to wait for an appropriate time for them to occur. The bus parking bays alone have increased the safety of our students each day as more than 450 students get off and on the buses in a far safer fashion now with the new design. Along with the refurbishment of many classrooms across all campuses, landscaping upgrades at Senior School and Bellarine Campus and the new stage plans for the Surf Coast Campus, things have been very busy.

At the beginning of this year, we were shocked by the news that our Vice-Principal Scott Elliss had suffered a serious brain haemorrhage where he was expected to be away for the term. It was quite a shock to us all as the injury was “out of the blue”. We were pleased that Scott made a significant return to duties for the rest of the year. At this stage Scott has decided to take 12 months leave in 2023 to give himself the appropriate time to heal and we wish him well.

Farewells

Bernadette Johnson

As is the case each year, we have numbers of staff who are retiring and leaving us, many of whom have served the College for many years. I would like to acknowledge Berna Johnson who has both managed and taught in our kindergartens at Williams House and Butterfield House. Berna for approximately 18 years. Berna was instrumental in helping to set up our new kinder at the Surf Coast and played a strategic role in designing and watching over the construction of the buildings and the outside play areas. We wish Berna all the best in her retirement and thank her so much for her incredible contribution to the lives of so many of our students and our Christian College community.

Milton Nankervis

We also say farewell to Milton Nankervis who has worked for our community for 24 years. Milton began his tenure here as a bricklayer and we see his amazing handiwork in the courtyards of both the Middle School and Junior School courtyards. Every brick you step on, Milton laid and every lower red brick wall around the buildings and courtyards is Milton’s work. Amongst the many other building features he can lay claim to, the gardens lawns and trees across all campuses have been planted with Milton’s help. Milton has been an honest, patient and consistent worker and persistence has been a hallmark of his roles. His help, care and demeanour around the Junior School in the years leading up to his retirement were so appreciated by staff and students alike. We wish you all the best in the future Milton.

Michael Peck

This year the Christian College Foundation has been active in the community and run some very productive programs and functions. The Chair of the Foundation Board since its inception seven years ago, Mr Michael Peck, has been extremely generous with his time and professional skills by steering the establishment and operation of the Foundation to such a Professional level. Skilfully assisted by the Foundation Manager, Mrs Jennifer Freind and the Foundation Board members, we are excited for the future role of the Foundation. Sadly, we are having to say farewell to Michael as he enters retirement and we thank him for his generous contribution to the College and the Foundation. However, we also welcome Mr Tim Page-Walker as the newly elected Chair of the Foundation beginning in 2023. We wish him all the best in this role.

Tim

Edwards

This end of year we say farewell to a special man, Mr Tim Edwards. Tim came to Christian College as the first Dean of Christian Culture, a new position in the College and one that presented its challenges. His start in this new role also coincided with the onset of the COVID pandemic. It was at this crucial time I asked Tim if he could assist with the Foundation as well as become the head of the Chaplaincy team. In addition, Tim sat on the College Executive and met with the College Board each month. Tim was also instrumental in helping to establish many of our College policies based around the wellbeing programs. His contribution to the College has been productive and meaningful as he has navigated and shaped this new and important role throughout these past three years. We wish you God’s richest blessings Tim as you move on to a new role.

Stephen has been a familiar face around the College for more than 30 years where he has served in many roles. Beginning in 1992, Stephen has taught Years 5&6, has been Year 7 teacher and year level coordinator, Deputy Head of Middle School, Head of Middle School, Head of Junior School Belmont, Chaplain and the Chaplain Coordinator. Stephen has devoted years mentoring many teachers in the College. His contribution and impact in the lives of so many students, family and staff has been monumental, and I know he has ever remained loyal and a faithful servant of this community. Thanks Stephen for the legacy you are leaving in your retirement.

College Events

Over the year we have been witness to many outstanding events. Many of these activities have been in “hibernation” due to the pandemic but it has been wonderful to reengage with staff families and students in the community again. We have enjoyed events like the Music Evening at Costa Hall, the Art, Technology and Design Festival at Villa Paloma, the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony and dinner with families and the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and the close of the College year with our Campus Celebration Evenings. With many of the camping programs and the Outdoor Education experiences resuming, the swimming sports, athletic sports and many interschool competitions starting again, this year has seen a renewed enthusiasm among students and staff alike. The sense of reengagement has been positive and rewarding. I was very privileged to be present at a Grandparents Day last month where I was quite taken by the interactions between the school community and grandparents. The day was such a highlight for both the students and the families.

I would like to express my thanks to the members of the College Board for their diligent governance of the College over the last 12 months. We are fortunate to have the quality of people with such diverse and important skills. Thank you to Rev. Paul Stephens, the Chair of the Board for his continued support and wisdom in guiding us all. We hope you all have a well-deserved rest over this Christmas break and come back for new year full of new challenges.

I would like to express my thanks to the Principal Mr Glen McKeeman, Vice Principal Mr Scott Elliss and the Heads and Deputies of each of the Campuses. Thank you to all the teaching staff and ancillary staff for the many efforts you take to ensure the wellbeing of all our students across all the campuses including Back Creek Farm. It is an incredible task and I know I speak for us all when I say thank you to all of you. I also want to thank all the professional support staff who work diligently behind the scenes. For the bus drivers and the mechanics who are asked to drive in the all conditions each day and then return our students home safely – we have much to thank you for as well. For all the others, gardeners, maintenance people and farmers at Back Creek. We extend a heartfelt thankyou to all of you.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to my Executive team in the College, Operations, Finance, Education, School programmes, Administration, Chaplaincy, Public Relations, Publications and Marketing and Governance. You are an incredibly hard-working group of individuals who all go far beyond what is expected and I thank you so much for your continued efforts.

In closing, I want to remind ourselves about the true meaning of Christmas. This week we will be surrounded by a multitude of advertisers trying to convince us to buy their kind of Christmas. Yet when we look a little closer we can still see God’s grace and His plan showing through all the tinsel, baubles and sales signs. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, a birth that was predicted hundreds of years before it happened, and an event that changed the history of mankind.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

God bless you all this Christmas.

Mr Daryl C. Riddle OAM Chief Executive Officer