From the Principal
March 2011 Newsletter
The 2011 academic year commenced with an obvious sense of excitement. The extra days provided to the staff to finalise preparations for the commencement of classes allowed valuable cross campus planning opportunities which were positively received and utilised. This also meant that our classes resumed coinciding with the commencement of contract bus services that transport a number of our students to school each day. There was also special excitement for the many new students commencing at Christian College this year particularly those starting school in Prep. I wish to take this opportunity to warmly welcome those families who have joined our community this year. I have been pleased to have the opportunity to meet families at the Welcome Services and picnics conducted at each of the campuses. These are a great opportunity for us to gather together allowing staff and families to meet informally and to spend time sharing in worship.
New Facilities.
Mr McKeeman and Mrs Strong congratulate the newly appointed Senior School Captains and ViceCaptains
After many months researching, planning and designing, the much anticipated new Senior School facility comprising an extensive library, staff areas and administration is complete and now operational. This facility has already received wonderful endorsement from the students and staff who are benefitting greatly from the provision of this outstanding learning and resource space.
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Scholarships 2012 Last month the College offered scholarship opportunities at Year 5, 7 and 10. Students applying for these places have recently completed examinations and shortlisted candidates will attend interviews before the end of term. This initiative, together with a strategic process of reviewing the academic program, aims to consolidate and improve the achievement levels for all students. Detailed analysis of student results is providing us with data to support this strategy.
Q’ed program Next term will see the exciting launch of the College enrichment and enhancement program ‘Q’ed’. Selected students from Years 5, 6 and 7 will have the opportunity to participate in collaborative, high order creative thinking and challenging learning experiences at our Senior School. Research, collaborative and critical thinking skills developed through this program will be a great benefit to these students. Indeed, as new assessment rubrics and curriculum programs are developed in all teaching and learning areas that reflect these aspects of higher order learning, all students will gain from the introduction of this approach to classroom practice. Toward the end of last year a promotional DVD was filmed across each of the campuses, including the farm, ‘Back Creek’. As part of the preparation and filming for this production I was reminded of the extensive range of opportunities that are provided for our students. Equally the vital role that our teaching staff plays in the lives of our students was clearly obvious in the instruction of students as well as the formation of their values and character.